Kevin Porter Jr. set to emerge as Milwaukee’s new backcourt star after Damian Lillard’s departure reshapes the roster
The Milwaukee Bucks made a pivotal move last season, trading for Kevin Porter Jr. in a bid to enhance their guard rotation. Now, as he approaches his first complete season with the franchise, Porter Jr. is emerging as a player to watch closely.
Offseason Shifts and the Lillard Effect
This offseason has been particularly eventful for the Bucks, who faced yet another early playoff exit. A key decision was the waiving and stretching of All-Star guard Damian Lillard, aimed at creating salary cap flexibility to pursue Myles Turner. With Lillard no longer in the picture, the Bucks find themselves with a significant void in their starting backcourt.
Porter Jr., a former first-round pick with starting experience, is poised to step into a more prominent role for Milwaukee in the 2026 season. His ascent comes at a crucial time when the franchise is recalibrating after Lillard’s departure.
Rising Expectations for Porter Jr.
As training camp approaches, ESPN’s team of analysts has identified Porter Jr. as a notable fantasy basketball sleeper for the upcoming season. The changes within Milwaukee’s roster have positioned him for a more substantial on-ball role.
“In the wake of the Damian Lillard experiment, the Bucks don’t have much guard depth,” noted analyst Jim McCormick. “This pushes Porter into a meaningful on-ball role for the Bucks. The combo guard thrived in this capacity while Lillard was off the floor last season, posting an assist clip closer to a point guard, while averaging 19.3 points across his four starts for Milwaukee.”
Porter Jr.’s potential for big minutes is reinforced by Bucks coach Doc Rivers’ tendency to rely heavily on his starters, suggesting that he could deliver impressive stats as the primary playmaker alongside superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Showcasing Talent and Future Impact
When given the opportunity to shine, Porter Jr. has demonstrated his capabilities. He scored 20 or more points in five of his last eight games, including a near triple-double against the Miami Heat.
With the team now looking to Porter Jr. as their most viable lead guard option, he stands at the forefront of the Bucks’ efforts to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference. As he steps into this crucial role, the expectations are high for Porter Jr. to not only fill the void left by Lillard but also to potentially become a key contributor to Milwaukee’s playoff ambitions.
